To start with the bad parts: this book is very slow paced and somewhat circular (the main character has a big decision to make and she gets everyone's opinion more than once and goes back on it several times, for example.) However, despite this, I find the book compelling. The world of the novel is a very intriguing premise, and the magic system is cool. The main character being privileged in almost all ways, but looked down upon for magical reasons leads to interesting tension and character growth. The historical time period (mid-19th century England and Hungary) was portrayed richly and the authors seemed to have researched extensively (I am by no means anIexpert.) I appreciated the Romani representation as a severely discriminated-against group with a deep cultural tradition and individuals with different personalities and opinions rather than as simply a plot device or stereotypes. I was relieved that the book limited its use of "g*psy" (though it is used by outsiders and before the main character is educated by a Romani friend) and that the author's note thanked her Hungarian Romani consultant. The characters were, at times, somewhat flat, but I found them generally likeable, with understandable motivations and capacity for growth. Our main character especially, grows substantially throughout the novel, and reexamines many of her own assumptions and prejudices. I am interested to see where the series goes and if it can improve upon some of the faults of the first novel.